Improved process of tanning skins



waited fitatw new; dtyijiita AUGUST 'BRIEL, AND GODFREY RUSCK.

Letters Patent No. 92,484, dated July 13, 1869.

IMPROVEDPROC ESS OF TANNIITG- SKINS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of e s .lo all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Onmsrmn SMITH, of Bell Air,

in the county of Belmont, and in the State of Ohio,

thereof.

The nature of my invention consists in a new mode or process for tanning leather, by which the defects in the leather, arising from the usual imperfect modes of tanning, are entirely obviated.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains, to use the same, I will now proceed to describe my process.

The skins or kips being, in the usual way, well limed, nnhaired, fleshed, and well worked, also cleaned of all animal and mineral matter, are to be subjected to the following treatment:

They are put in a vat, and well wheeled in a weak liquor, to which four or five bushels of well-sifted bark are to be added. Thetanning-quality of the bark being consumed, it is to be renewed for a second. and third time, each time adding a moderate liquor.

The skins having absorbed the liquor, are taken out, well washed in water, scoured, and piled together, the hair-side on the inside, and put in a moderately strong liquor, and, on the upper side, covered with bark. Atter three or four weeks they are again taken out, washed, dried, and shaved, again put in fresh water, scoured, and lightly oiled on the grain-side. This done,

they are put in strong liquor, and laid away. vAbout four weeks afterwards they are soon-red, greased, and finished in the usual way.

In this-treatment of skins or kips, the hair-side does not absorb more tanning-matter than is necessary for a good leather, which is often done in the old processes. In this way I prevent the breaking of. the leather, which is caused by absorbing too much of the tanning-matter. I also obtain the greatest possible softness and mildness, and light color of the leather, as the skins accept slowly as much tanning as is necessary.

The sifting of the bark, before applying it in the manner above described, separates it from all unclean matter so obnoxious to the color of the leather.

By oiling'the skins, they are protected against the Witnesses WM. H. TALLMAN, AUGUST BRIEL. 

